Module 6 -- Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy



Citation:

Bildner, P. (2002). Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Summary:

Bildner's picture book Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy recounts the idiosyncratic behavior of baseball legend Joe Jackson and his roller coaster ride to fame. Told with a lyrical and repetitive style, the audience is taken on a journey as Joe enlists the help of "Ol' Charlie" in getting the perfect bat for his game. For many years, every time Joe has a great season in the minor leagues, he is moved up to a major league only to completely bomb the season and be demoted to the minors again. Every year Ol' Charlie has a new suggestion on how to take the best care of Joe's bat "Black Betsy." Indeed, the strange suggestions seem to pay for Shoeless Joe, and he eventually becomes one of baseballs most famed players.

Impressions:

I forced myself to read this book because I absolutely do NOT like baseball. However, the fact of the matter is, many of my male students love the sport, and deserve a knowledgable librarian that can help them find books of interest about the subject. The story was cute overall, and the illustrations (created by C.F. Payne) reminded me of Norman Rockwell paintings. I especially liked the afterword which included biographical information about historical figure Joseph Jeffereson Jackson

Usage in the Library:

I would like to use this title for a booktalk delivered to local little league teams, and a sports themed reading program. The librarian could collaborate with parents and local little league (or other sports) coaches to encourage their athletes to read fiction and nonfiction books about the sports they love to play. After reaching a goal number of books read, students could be rewarded with sports themed prizes, such as: baseball cards, tickets to a local game, or sports equipment donated by parents and local sporting goods stores.

Review:

One of baseball's greats receives star treatment in this compelling book. Shortly before "Shoeless Joe" Jackson (so named for having played a game in his stocking feet) joins the minors, he falls into a slump, and out of desperation ends up in the workshop of "the finest bat smith in all of South Carolina." Joe names the bat 01' Charlie Ferguson makes for him Betsy ("Pitchers are going to honor and respect this bat the way they respect the flag Betsy Ross created," the hero states), but the slump continues. So does the partnership between the two men as 01' Charlie refines the bat's design--it's remade from the "north side of a hickory tree" and rubbed down with tobacco juice so it will be "dark and scary--looking"--and Joe learns how to massage it with sweet oil and keep it wrapped in cotton ("Cotton will make Black Betsy feel right at home in Cleveland," 01' Charlie tells him). Finally Betsy takes him to the major leagues and his finest season ever. Rookie Bildner hits a home run here, zeroing in on the bat as just the right lens through which to view his picture book biography. He strews the conversational prose with appealing colloquialisms in a catchy refrain ("sure as the sky is blue and the grass is green"). Payne's (The Remarkable Farkie McBride) portraits take on a tall-tale quality suffused with nostalgia; his strong-featured characters offer a riveting blend of humor and gravity. An afterword fills in the details of Jackson's life and career, including the 1919 Black Sox scandal. Ages 5-8. (Mar.) 

Review Citation:

Publishers Weekly. (2002, January 7). Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy. [Book Review]. Publishers Weekly, 249(1).